More on Russ - oh dear

(Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------

Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's trouble & strife. have managed
to extract his password so i could write personally.

Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have helped
us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each morning (&
Jess for those of you with kids!).

Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he is
on the whole very positive and we realise how lucky he is to be able to have the use of his arms and
hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On a less happy note the news is not good. Russ remains
unable to move or feel anything from the chest down and we have been told that this will be the
permanent situation due to the severity of the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of him but as
you know is determined and positive. Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the first time so
i will let you know how it goes. He is looking forward to lots of visitors and now that he is
feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!

From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and waited at
the hospital til i arrived. It means so much to know that Russ wasn't alone. Am feeling emotional
again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to meet some of you at the hospital but again

THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------

All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.

Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.

I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.

Andy Chequer

 

> All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
>
> Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.

Damn - this kind of thing really gives me a big dose of mortality. I hope for the best for them.

 

Andy Chequer <[email protected](youdontwantthisbitinit)thisisasparagus.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ---------------
>
> Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's
trouble
> & strife. have managed to extract his password so i could write
personally.
>
> Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have
> helped us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each
> morning (& Jess for those of you with kids!).
>
> Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he
> is on the whole very positive and we realise
how
> lucky he is to be able to have the use of his arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On
> a less happy note the news is not good. Russ remains unable to move or feel anything from the
> chest down and we have been told that this will be the permanent situation due to the severity of
> the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of him but as you know is determined and positive.
> Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the first time so i will let you know how it goes. He
> is looking forward to lots of visitors
and
> now that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
>
> From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and waited
> at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much
to
> know that Russ wasn't alone. Am feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to
> meet some of you at the hospital but again
>
> THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
>

>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> --------------
>
> All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
>
> Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.
>
> Andy Chequer

Damnit - I hope he and his family all manage to keep their spirits up through this. I don't know the
guy outside of his posts to this place, but I feel for him - he's certainly put the miles and the
love into MTB'ing.

I'm with you on the brave thing Andy - beyond brave I suppose. Incredible.

My best hopes are with them.

Shaun aRe - Words just don't do it, do they?

 

cant think of anything to say other than good luck russ

panda

"Andy Chequer" <[email protected](youdontwantthisbitinit)thisisasparagus.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ---------------
>
> Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's
trouble
> & strife. have managed to extract his password so i could write
personally.
>
> Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have
> helped us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each
> morning (& Jess for those of you with kids!).
>
> Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he
> is on the whole very positive and we realise
how
> lucky he is to be able to have the use of his arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On
> a less happy note the news is not good. Russ remains unable to move or feel anything from the
> chest down and we have been told that this will be the permanent situation due to the severity of
> the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of him but as you know is determined and positive.
> Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the first time so i will let you know how it goes. He
> is looking forward to lots of visitors
and
> now that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
>
> From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and waited
> at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much
to
> know that Russ wasn't alone. Am feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to
> meet some of you at the hospital but again
>
> THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
>

>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> --------------
>
> All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
>
> Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.
>
> Andy Chequer

 

"Andy Chequer" <[email protected](youdontwantthisbitinit)thisisasparagus.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
| (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
| ---------------
|
| Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's
trouble
| & strife. have managed to extract his password so i could write
personally.
|
| Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have
| helped us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each
| morning (& Jess for those of you with kids!).
|
| Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he
| is on the whole very positive and we realise
how
| lucky he is to be able to have the use of his arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On
| a less happy note the news is not good. Russ remains unable to move or feel anything from the
| chest down and we have been told that this will be the permanent situation due to the severity of
| the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of him but as you know is determined and positive.
| Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the first time so i will let you know how it goes. He
| is looking forward to lots of visitors
and
| now that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
|
| From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and waited
| at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much
to
| know that Russ wasn't alone. Am feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to
| meet some of you at the hospital but again
|
| THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
|

|
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
| --------------
|
| All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
| accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
|
| Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
|
| I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
| wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.
|
| Andy Chequer
|
Certainly makes me feel humble. My thoughts and well wishes go out to Russ and his family.

Simon........I knew who jess was, must be that I got kids.

 

"Andy Chequer" <[email protected](youdontwantthisbitinit)thisisasparagus.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ---------------
>
> Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's
trouble
> & strife. have managed to extract his password so i could write
personally.
>
> Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have
> helped us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each
> morning (& Jess for those of you with kids!).
>
> Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he
> is on the whole very positive and we realise
how
> lucky he is to be able to have the use of his arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On
> a less happy note the news is not good. Russ remains unable to move or feel anything from the
> chest down and we have been told that this will be the permanent situation due to the severity of
> the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of him but as you know is determined and positive.
> Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the first time so i will let you know how it goes. He
> is looking forward to lots of visitors
and
> now that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
>
> From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and waited
> at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much
to
> know that Russ wasn't alone. Am feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to
> meet some of you at the hospital but again
>
> THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
>

>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> --------------
>
> All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
>
> Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.
>
> Andy Chequer
>
>

'Oh dear' is right. Very sobering. My prayers are with them. Could we do something to help out like
a fund raiser for hosp exp or college fund for the kids?

Mike

 

"Michael Dart" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>

>
> 'Oh dear' is right. Very sobering. My prayers are with them. Could
we do
> something to help out like a fund raiser for hosp exp or college fund
for
> the kids?
>
> Mike
>
>

I spoke to Heather and Russ this morning. Typical of the man he is even now thinking of others and
thanking them for their concern.

WRT fund raising Russ wants everything to go to NAAAS http://www.naaas.co.uk His logic runs along
the lines of "without them I'd be in a box rather than a wheelchair and a lot of others would be in
deep too". I can't argue with that. Wheels are in motion to start a fund. As things develop I will
let everybody know.

Peter

 

"Andy Chequer" <[email protected](youdontwantthisbitinit)thisisasparagus.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ---------------
>
> Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's
trouble
> & strife. have managed to extract his password so i could write
personally.
>
> Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have
> helped us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each
> morning (& Jess for those of you with kids!).
>
> Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he
> is on the whole very positive and we realise
how
> lucky he is to be able to have the use of his arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On
> a less happy note the news is not good. Russ remains unable to move or feel anything from the
> chest down and we have been told that this will be the permanent situation due to the severity of
> the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of him but as you know is determined and positive.
> Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the first time so i will let you know how it goes. He
> is looking forward to lots of visitors
and
> now that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
>
> From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and waited
> at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much
to
> know that Russ wasn't alone. Am feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to
> meet some of you at the hospital but again
>
> THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
>

>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> --------------
>
> All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
>
> Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.
>
> Andy Chequer
>

Lost for words. I imagine Heather is going through hell. Wishing Russ all the good luck in the
world, and hoping that by some miracle his injuries aren't permanent.

Steve E.

 

Andy Chequer wrote:
> (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ---------------
>
> Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's trouble & strife. have managed
> to extract his password so i could write personally.
>
> Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have
> helped us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each
> morning (& Jess for those of you with kids!).
>
> Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he
> is on the whole very positive and we realise how lucky he is to be able to have the use of his
> arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On a less happy note the news is not good. Russ
> remains unable to move or feel anything from the chest down and we have been told that this will
> be the permanent situation due to the severity of the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of
> him but as you know is determined and positive. Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the
> first time so i will let you know how it goes. He is looking forward to lots of visitors and now
> that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
>
> From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and
> waited at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much to know that Russ wasn't alone. Am
> feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to meet some of you at the
> hospital but again
>
> THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
>

>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------
>
> All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
>
> Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.
>
> Andy Chequer
>
>

Oh dear certainly does say it all. My best wishes to Russ and his family, and thankful that Russ is
still alive.

Jon Bond

 

Andy Chequer wrote:
> (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ---------------
>
> Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's trouble & strife. have managed
> to extract his password so i could write personally.
>
> Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs and support they have
> helped us through a very difficult 10 days THANKYOU!!!! Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each
> morning (& Jess for those of you with kids!).
>
> Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits, he
> is on the whole very positive and we realise how lucky he is to be able to have the use of his
> arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke. On a less happy note the news is not good. Russ
> remains unable to move or feel anything from the chest down and we have been told that this will
> be the permanent situation due to the severity of the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of
> him but as you know is determined and positive. Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the
> first time so i will let you know how it goes. He is looking forward to lots of visitors and now
> that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
>
> From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and
> waited at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much to know that Russ wasn't alone. Am
> feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will get to meet some of you at the
> hospital but again
>
> THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
>

>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------
>
> All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> accident and the idea of it happening to me scares the living shit out of me.
>
> Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.

I've been trying all day to think of words to say that don't sound patronising or full of pity, but
I'm not sure I can.

I just feel so sorry for the guy - someone who was so active being struck down and reduced to a
wheelchair for the rest of his life. As you say, the idea of it happening to me scares the living
shit out of me.

I just wish Russ and his family all the best in what must be such a difficult time, and obviously
all the best for what is going to be a difficult future.

 

bomba said:

>I've been trying all day to think of words to say that don't sound patronising or full of pity, but
>I'm not sure I can.

My problem as well. I'm not much of a word-smith, but I can say "Get well, Russ - we're
pulling for you."

Steve

 

"Andy Chequer" <[email protected](youdontwantthisbitinit)thisisasparagus.com> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>... <snip sad news>
> I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.

Damn straight, they are. Stranger things have happened than a doctor being wrong.

JD

 

"bomba" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Andy Chequer wrote:
> > (Posted on uk.rec.cycling by Russ' wife)
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> > ---------------
> >
> > Wow this is a first me talking bikes! Hi everyone im Heather Russ's
trouble
> > & strife. have managed to extract his password so i could write
personally.
> >
> > Russ & I can't thank everyone enough for all the e-mails, cards, discs
and
> > support they have helped us through a very difficult 10 days
THANKYOU!!!!
> > Russ has got his own Royal Mail Van each morning (& Jess for those of
you
> > with kids!).
> >
> > Last night Russ had his first full nights sleep and although tired is feeling in good spirits,
> > he is on the whole very positive and we realise
how
> > lucky he is to be able to have the use of his arms and hands when seeing other people at Stoke.
> > On a less happy note the news is not good. Russ remains unable to move
or
> > feel anything from the chest down and we have been told that this will
be
> > the permanent situation due to the severity of the injury. Russ now has a long haul ahead of him
> > but as you know is determined and positive. Tomorrow he should be getting out of bed for the
> > first time so
i
> > will let you know how it goes. He is looking forward to lots of visitors
and
> > now that he is feeling stronger i'm sure it won't be long. Will keep you posted!
> >
> > From me personally thank you so much to everyone on the ride who helped Russ, rang me and waited
> > at the hospital til i arrived. It means so much
to
> > know that Russ wasn't alone. Am feeling emotional again so i won't go on. Hopefully i will
> > get to
meet
> > some of you at the hospital but again
> >
> > THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
> >

> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> > --------------
> >
> > All I have to add is poor bugger. An old schoolfriend ended up like this following a motorcycle
> > accident and the idea of it happening to me
scares
> > the living shit out of me.
> >
> > Hell, I was an emotional wreck when I broke my coccyx FFS.
> >
> > I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
> > wanting to sound patronising I think they're
both
> > being very brave.
>
> I've been trying all day to think of words to say that don't sound patronising or full of pity,
> but I'm not sure I can.
>
> I just feel so sorry for the guy - someone who was so active being struck down and reduced to a
> wheelchair for the rest of his life. As you say, the idea of it happening to me scares the living
> shit out of me.
>
> I just wish Russ and his family all the best in what must be such a difficult time, and obviously
> all the best for what is going to be a difficult future.
>

This guy kept going after a bad dual slalom wreck. http://www.pbase.com/image/14761714 This was
taken on the Sport DH course at Snowshoe WV (I stuck it in the wrong folder) just before a 7
foot rolling drop off a road cut. I'm not really sure of my point other than life goes on if you
want it to.

Mike

 

JD wrote:
> "Andy Chequer" <[email protected](youdontwantthisbitinit)thisisasparagus.com> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>... <snip sad news>
>
>>I'm sure that everyone here is hoping he manages to get some movement /sensation back. Without
>>wanting to sound patronising I think they're both being very brave.
>
>
> Damn straight, they are. Stranger things have happened than a doctor being wrong.

After seeing the progress Christopher Reeves was able to make *years* after his initial injury, I'd
hesitate to describe any spinal cord injury as total and permanent. I remember reading an interview
with him in which he described his injury. Apparently his spine was totally severed quite near his
head. He said that basically, the only thing that kept his head from falling clean off was his neck
muscles, and the only thing that kept him alive was the people with him who had to sense to initial
mouth to mouth resucitation, as his paralysis was immediate and total.

Now he's regaining a good deal of sensation and some motor control after specialized therapy
supervised by Dr. John McDonald, Department of Neuorology at Washington University Meidcal School,
located here in St. Louis.

Where there's life, there's hope.

Kathleen

 

In article <[email protected]>, Kathleen wrote:

> Now he's regaining a good deal of sensation and some motor control after specialized therapy
> supervised by Dr. John McDonald, Department of Neuorology at Washington University Meidcal School,
> located here in St. Louis.
>
> Where there's life, there's hope.

I've heard more than one story of people with incredible strength of will doing things despite back
injuries, like walking and moving limbs that they were never supposed to be able to. I never really
heard anything about Russ before this, but he seems to be the fighting type. He may never really
mountain bike again, but if he fights all the way, he may yet walk.

Guys like Russ are the whole reason you should lobby government for more research funding. That sort
of funding goes to discovering cures for all sorts of things. Who knows, with some luck and hard
work, maybe Russ'll be back on the bike in a few years with some fancy robot parts in his back.

JS

--
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Jan Sacharuk Member in Good Standing of The Discordian Solidarity Turn on viewing of the X-Geek-Code
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